At first glance: Technics SL-1200/SL-1210 MK7 review

Construction and design

Like the SL-1500C, the SL-1200MK7 is made in Malaysia rather than the Japanese high-end turntable factory, and uses different components and design principles. Anyone who has ever dealt with Technics turntables will recognize the MK7 at first glance. While other turntables boast an ornate design and a plethora of features, the SL-1200 is starkly simple.

Ten years have passed since the release of the MK6, but Technics saw no need to change the design, including the S-shaped aluminum tonearm and the familiar button layout. However, both the tonearm and buttons are now made in elegant black.

The speed control on the right side provides +8/16% adjustment. The start and stop button is located on the lower left, as are the 33 1/3 and 45 rpm shift buttons. 78 rpm speed is also supported. The strobe color can be changed from red to blue. The needle is now equipped with a retractable white LED light. On the rear panel there are inputs for detachable power and interconnect cables (the latter for the phono stage).

Externally, the player looks very stylish; Fans of the signature design will appreciate the striking matte black finish. There is no silver option available at the moment, but it seems to us that sooner or later it will appear.

A closer look at the new Technics SL-1200 MK7 turntable. #CES2019 pic.twitter.com/uSHWlsnuOS

— What Hi-Fi? (@whathifi) January 8, 2019

The SL-1210MK7 feels a little less solid than the pricey SL-1200GR and SL-1200G. The power and speed buttons feel flimsier both in appearance and when pressed, and the LED needle indicator, which can be moved up and down, was a little loose on our review unit. We didn't have the old version of the SL-1200 for comparison, so we had to postpone comparing the differences until later.

The table is said to be a die-cast aluminum base bonded to a "special material consisting of ABS plastic mixed with fiberglass," while these premium models' structural elements are made of aluminum and BMC (bulk laminated compound) and earlier DJ turntables are made from TNRC (Technics non-resonant composite). The new player weighs 9.6 kilograms, which is less than the SL-1200GR (11.5) and the MK6 version (11.7). The lower surface of the table is covered with a layer of damping rubber and equipped with four monolithic legs.

For this model, a new coreless direct drive motor has been developed to eliminate torque ripple - and ensure maximum smooth operation. The torque remained the same as that of the MK5 version - 1.8 kgf*cm, while for the more expensive SL-1200GR it is 2.2 kgf*cm.

Professional Dj vinyl player Technics SL 1210 MK2

25.11.2011

TECHNICS SL-1210 MK2 is a legendary turntable that has already become a classic. The Technics SL-1210 MK2 professional turntable is part of the SL1200 series, a recognized standard among DJs around the world for over 30 years. This legendary series dates back to 1973, when Technics released its SL1210 turntable with rotary speed control. The 1979 SL1200mk2 was the first model in the series to feature a slider speed control.

The Technics SL-1210 MK2 vinyl record player has direct drive and quartz speed control. Quick start is ensured by high torque (1.5 kgf/cm). Rotation speed is 33.3/45 rpm. Pitch ±8%. The plate under the needle is illuminated. The lightweight, sensitive S-shaped tonearm with gimbal suspension is adjustable in height. Technics SL-1210 MK2 has an anti-skating system. The cast aluminum body has a solid rubber base that absorbs vibrations. The design of the legs is also designed to absorb vibration.

Functional features:

• Patented direct drive motor design from Technics
• High torque (1.5 kgf/cm), ensuring quick start
• Quartz disk rotation speed stabilization
• Rotation speeds 33 and 45 rpm
• Pitch ±8%
• Red strobe platter speed indicator (+6%, +3.3%, 0%, -3.3%)
• Illumination of the record under the needle, for ease of finding the required section of the track
• Screw-type tonearm height adjustment
• Anti-skating system
• High sensitivity, lightweight S-shape tonearm with gimbal suspension
• Precision die-cast aluminum housing with solid rubber base for vibration absorption
• Vibration-absorbing leg design

Technical characteristics of Technics SL-1210 MK2:

Drive unit:

• Direct drive with quartz stabilization

Disk:

• Aluminum cast
• Diameter: 33.2 cm
• Weight: 1.7 kg

Engine:

• Brushless DC Motor
• Rotation speed adjustment: ±8%
• Starting force: 1.5 kg/cm
• Acceleration time from rest to 33.3 rpm: 0.7 s

Braking system:

• Electronic brake

Detonation:

• 0.01% WRMS
• 0.025% WRMS (JIS C5521)
• ±0.035% peak (IEC 98A Weighted)

Rumble:

• -56 dB (IEC 98A Unweighted)
• -78 dB (IEC Weighted)

Tonearm:

• Effective length: 230 mm
• Adjustable height: 0-6mm
• Overhang: 15mm
• Effective weight: 12g (without cartridge)
• Offset Angle: 22°
• Friction: less than 7 mg (vertical, horizontal)

Tracking error angle:

• within 2° 32′ (on the outer track of a 12″ disk)
• within 0° 32′ (on the inner track of a 12″ disk)

Needle load range:

• 0-4 g

Cartridge weight range:

• 3.5 g – 13 g
• 11 g – 20.5 g (including needle holder)

Cartridge weight range with additional weight:

• 9.5 g – 13 g
• 17 g – 20.5 g (including needle holder)

Cartridge weight range with needle weight:

• 3.5 g – 6.5 g
• 11 g – 14 g (including needle holder)

Other:

• Power supply: built-in AC 220-240V, 50Hz
• Power consumption: 13.5 W
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 453 x 172 x 360mm
• Black color
• Weight: 12 kg

Equipment

Technics is adamant about not adding unnecessary bells and whistles to players, but the SL-1210 MK7 makes a few useful changes. The first of them is the Reverse Play function: hold down one of the speed selection buttons, click Start/stop - and the platter will start spinning in the opposite direction. Shifting at 78 rpm is done in the same way.

Technics CTO Tetsuya Itani shows how the new Reverse Play feature works on the SL-1200 MK7. pic.twitter.com/hb0xzpWfCp

— Joe Cox (@JosephCox) January 9, 2019

In addition, starting torque and braking speed can be adjusted, thanks in part to motor technology advanced in the development of Blu-ray drives. This setup is a little more complicated and requires removing the platter to access switches hidden inside the player. Most people are unlikely to do this, but for professionals it gives additional room for experimentation.

The customization capabilities of the SL-1200 are not limited to this. In the same hidden area you can find a switch to change the color of the strobe backlight LED - from blue to red or back. Improved needle illumination provides increased visibility of the needle tip compared to previous models.

The interconnect and power cables of this model are removable - to the delight of those owners who want to replace them with connectors of a higher class.

Technics SL-1210MK2

I can say with absolute certainty that this is the most legendary and sought-after LP player in the whole world. Here recently he even appeared in the last part of “Iron Man”.

Direct drive vinyl disc player with quartz speed control. The SL-1210 series has been a recognized standard among music lovers for over 30 years. The first SL-1200 was born in 1973, and in 1989 the Technics SL-1210MK2 model was released.

This model is still in production and is the standard of quality among vinyl players. And, not unimportantly, it is produced in JAPAN.

There is no point in talking about its technical “stuffing”. It was or is in every second system, of various levels! The Internet is full of information.

But I can’t help but mention some advantages.

1. It is very easy to set up. All known adjustments are present here.

2. Absolutely silent multi-winding motor of incredible power. Will pull out a “clamp” of any weight without a time limit. The motor won't even heat up.

3. Reliable, like an AK-47. No wonder DJs all over the world only use it.

4. The sound depends solely on the GZM.

5. There are no shortcomings.

8% speed control Precision die-cast aluminum body and solid rubber base to eliminate vibration High precision: 0.01% knock rate (VRMS), 78 dB relative rumble (DIN B) 1.5 torque kg/cm Highly sensitive lightweight tonearm with gimbal suspension Screw-based tonearm height adjustment

LP
is in excellent technical and cosmetic condition. Docks and accessories available.
Shell included, without fuel and oil parts. 220 V.

I invite you to listen with different components.

Photo upon request by e-mail.

I will pack it well and send it anywhere in the world.

Quality of work

As always, the first impressions of a new product in a crowded showroom are just the beginning of the acquaintance. Conditions are far from ideal, time is short, and there is no possibility of comparison with similar products. But, of course, we still took the opportunity to touch the new turntable with our own hands, and later hear it as part of the Technics reference system.

If you like the company's style as much as we and many others do, then you'll definitely appreciate the new model. It looks very impressive in a black finish. There will be a lot of fuss about the lack of a silver option, but no one will be disappointed with the present version.

If you put the MK7 next to the more expensive models, the SL-1200G and SL-1200GR, it becomes obvious that it has a simpler design and workmanship. But this is logical - it is much cheaper.

As for reliability compared to previous generations, in particular the MK6, it is difficult to say for sure, but the buttons and LED indicator look less solid. We will find out how the turntable will perform during operation when we receive a copy for testing. According to rumors, DJs from around the world were involved in the design and development, so it has every chance to appeal to this category of users.

The new model played great at the Technics corporate stand. Technics CTO Tetsuya Itani said the sound signature is "very similar" to the new SL-1500C, with the quality definitely increasing as you go up the price line. We listened to the SL-1200 MK7 and SL-1500G turntables back-to-back, and the latter definitely featured increased detail and greater scale; but outside the context of comparison, the 1200 pleases with its balanced and musical sound.